"St. Jack' and the Bullies in the Pulpit "

“It would seem those of us concerned about this issue have some allies in the Republican Party.


By Peter Slevin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 2, 2006; Page C01

"Jack Danforth wishes the Republican right would step down from its pulpit. Instead, he sees a constant flow of religion into national politics. And not just any religion, either, but the us-versus-them, my-God-is-bigger-than-your-God, velvet-fist variety of Christian evangelism.

As a mainline Episcopal priest, retired U.S. senator and diplomat, Danforth worships a humbler God and considers the right's certainty a sin. Legislating against gay marriage, for instance? "It's just cussedness." As he sees it, many Republican leaders have lost their bearings and, if they don't change, will lose their grip on power. Not to mention make the United States a meaner place.

Danforth is no squalling liberal. He is a lifelong Republican. And his own political history shows he is no milquetoas.

A man of God and the GOP, he is speaking out for moderation -- in religion, politics, science and government. The lanky figure once dubbed "St. Jack," not always warmly, for the perch he seemed to occupy on Washington's moral high ground, expects people will sour on the assertive brand of Christianity so closely branded Republican...."

Rest of story
last edited: 2/02/06 12:29:35 AM”

“Gee Steve, we must be thinking alike tonight. Thanks for the read with the link. I was not always in agreement with John Danforth but I always respected his attitude and opinion.

Kilgore”

“episcopalians are about the only christians that make any sense”

““episcopalians are about the only christians that make any sense”

Well Episcopals and maybe the MCC. *smile*

Kilgore”

“If the Republicans would kick out the Christian Taliban, they would grow as a party. Oh, and if they dropped the "big government borrow and spend" plank from their platform, but that's a whole 'nother issue.”

“episcopalians are about the only christians that make any sense”
Crash Bang


There are SOME Eps in Washington trying to make Thurgood Marshall a saint. Really. There must be something in the water around there for this to happen.”

“It seems to me that ALL organized Religions are falling apart. This isn't just a Christian, Muslim thing, it's happening to all of them. We even have Buddhists killing each other.

I believe each one of us is supposed to open our own dialog with God, not rely on someone else with an agenda to tell us what we are supposed to think. Organized Religion is now about power and control, not about seeking salvation.
last edited: 2/02/06 10:21:29 AM”

“Danforth....a perfect Blue Blood Republican in the finest tradition of Jack Ford, Bob "its fallen and it won't get up" Dole, Dick Nixon....and sadly the Bush Clan.

My Father is one of them. They want government to control us so they can run our lives. I remember how terrified they were of Ronald Reagan and people like Newt Gingrich who began telling them they would make government smaller and more responsible. A POX ON THEM ALL...”

““Religion is the last refuge of human savagery” Alfred North Whitehead

“I have always noticed that deeply and truly religious persons are fond of a joke, and I am suspicious of those who aren't” Alfred North Whitehead

“Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous” David Hume

I thought you might enjoy these.

Kilgore
last edited: 2/02/06 8:43:42 PM”